What to Expect from Big Ten Women’s Soccer This Season
In the summer of 2024, college sports underwent a shift to one of the biggest and most competitive leagues: the Big Ten Conference. With the league expanding to 18 collegiate teams and two affiliated institutions, some of the best women’s soccer teams will compete for the league title. The three new teams added to the conference will come from the Pac-12.
Current Members
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Before the additions to the Big Ten, the conference initially included 14 schools. Before its new 2024 additions, the most recent schools added were Rutgers University and the University of Maryland in 2014. Other familiar names included are the University of Michigan, Indiana, Penn State, and the University of Wisconsin.
Who has been added?
UCLA
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UCLA is one of the most exciting members to join the Big Ten Conference. Its record is intimidating. UCLA consistently makes it to the knockout stages of the NCAA championship and is currently ranked #22 in the national rankings. Its first Big Ten game was on September 14 against the University of Oregon.
USC
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When it comes to sports, USC often dominates. They are currently ranked 9th among the top programs in the country and have won two national championships. This preseason, they have been winning most of their games, but on September 12, USC played its first Big Ten Conference game against the Washington Huskies.
University of Oregon
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Like the other schools on this list, the University of Oregon is joining the Big Ten conference after being part of the Pac-12. Oregon failed to make the NCAA tournament last year in women’s soccer, but this season, they are 4-0 in their first non-conference matches. Their Big Ten conference schedule kicks off September 14 against the Bruins.
University of Washington
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This team has started incredibly strong this preseason, with five wins in a row. Although this team is not known for making it far in the playoffs, this season in the Big Ten Conference will elevate its competition.
As of right now, before the conference begins, the top teams in the country are Michigan State (5), Iowa (17), and Kentucky (21). Each of these new teams added to the Big Ten Conference also adds an immense amount of competition. These are some of the best teams in the nation that go head-to-head for the Big Ten title. Keep an eye out for the first games beginning September 12, 2024.
Featured image via @uclawsoccer
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